10 reasons why you need to attend Webstock 2011
6 December 2010
It has been scientifically proven that Webstock is a worthwhile and beneficial undertaking both for attendees and the organisations in which they work. Studies have shown that those who attended Webstock in previous years, returned to their workplaces more energised, more knowledgeable and more connected.
Breakdown showing Webstock’s worth as an educational, knowledge-sharing, conference experience
However, in case you or the powers-that-be require more convincing, here are 10 reasons why you should attend Webstock ’11. The first five reasons are for your boss, or to help you present a business case to them. The second five reasons are ‘specially for you.
Reasons for your boss
1. You can’t afford to fall behind
The web is changing rapidly, daily. Four years ago, the term “web 2.0″ was just starting to be talked about; social media wasn’t even geek-stream, let alone main-stream; and the concept of open government data would have got you laughed at. So much has changed since then. Your company and your staff need to understand these changes and what they mean and what’s coming next – for your clients and for the environment they operate in.
Webstock is the leading opportunity in New Zealand to understand these changes and the direction things are heading. Webstock provides unparalleled opportunities to meet and talk with the people who understand these changes and who are shaping the future of the web.
2. Your staff will come back better at their job
Webstock ’11 will feature topics such as Content Strategy; Data Visualisation; HTML5; OOCSS; Web Typography; Mobile Design; Improving Website Performance; Usability; Visual Communication, and Management and Leadership, to name but a few. Attendance at Webstock will enable your staff to do their work better. They’ll learn new techniques, insights and methods from those at the forefront of these areas.
Fact: if you want the best out of your staff, you need to invest in them and the further development of their skills and knowledge. We guarantee they will learn at least one thing that repays the investment in their attendance many times over.
3. Retain good staff
Now is not the time to lose good staff! The cost of hiring and training new people to replace those who leave more than outweighs the investment in keeping them motivated, happy and inspired. Supporting your staff to attend Webstock sends a message that you value them, and their contribution to your organisation.
4. You’ll be supporting the New Zealand web industry
There is so much good work happening in New Zealand. The web industry here is world-class – it also benefits from a sense of community and sharing. Webstock has played a role in fostering the community and the industry. Your support allows us to continue to do so.
5. Value for money
We bring over 20 of the best international speakers in the web world to New Zealand. No other conference in NZ offers this. Yet we charge less per ticket than many other conferences or seminars.
Reasons for you
6. The speakers
Go look. Few conferences anywhere in the world get a speaking lineup of this quality. You’ll get to meet and hang out with them, ask them questions and hear them speak on what’s most important and most exciting to them right there and then. Not some canned done-it-a-thousand-times-presentation; you get their freshest, latest and greatest thinking.
7. You’ll come back better at your job
You’ll be able to do your job better after attending Webstock. You’ll have skills, techniques and ideas you didn’t have before. We aim to cater for everyone in the web industry – developers, designers, information architects, user experience, project managers, business owners etc. Webstock will expose you to some of the world’s best in each of these fields.
From HTML5 to OOCSS to open data to accessibility; site performance to start ups to social media to mobile – the range of topics and opinions will help you examine current and emerging trends and possibilities from many different angles. It’ll help you objectively evaluate the pros and cons of various web strategies, processes and technologies and help you make decisions that are right for you and your organisation.
And the Webstock workshops will be an unmatched opportunity to learn in a practical, hands-on manner from some of the best of the best! They’ll give you the latest need-to-know info and can help you validate the current direction of your web projects and avoid common pitfalls along the way.
8. You’ll come back better networked
Let’s face it, it’s not always what you know, it’s who you know. And this works at every level – from being able to ask someone about a tricky CSS problem you have, to knowing who to talk to when you’re looking for a development partner, to sharing a coffee with someone who could be commissioning the next website you build. Conferences are about community and networking. People from all levels of the NZ web industry – public and private sector, large and small – will be attending Webstock.
9. You’ll come back inspired
Remember why you got into this industry? Remember the last time you were genuinely excited about building websites and applications? Congratulations if you do, but like many of us, you may be struggling with the day-to-day grind of any job. Webstock is a opportunity to rediscover your inspiration and to take time thinking about the big picture. It’s not a holiday – you’ll be challenged and stimulated at every step – but the positive effect on you may be the same.
10. Because it’s a conference unlike any other
We strive to give you the best speakers, the best programme to help with the flow of the day, the best range of food, the best schwag, and the best customer service – so that you’ll have the best time you can. It’s a chance to recharge, and to be inspired and excited. If you’re feeling good; if you’re feeling engaged, your brain will respond – you’ll soak up the knowledge being presented to you like a sponge! You’ll be amongst others who care about the same things you care about. And you’ll be appreciated and valued by the organisers for your support.
Webstock is not just another conference. It’s an experience!
So whether you come from the education, government or the corporate environment, if you work with any aspect of web design, development, UX/IA, content-editing or project management, this event is just what the doctor ordered. Webstock will be intense, it will be fun, it will inspire you and you should register now!
December 7th, 2010 at 09:29 52
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Layton Duncan and webstock, webstock. webstock said: 3 sleeps till earlybird ends! Still need to convince the bean counters why you need go to Webstock? Maybe this'll help: http://bit.ly/igoN4m [...]
December 16th, 2010 at 02:31 54
Living in the UK, I always seem to miss out on all these days. Unfortunately, our country is still somewhat behind when it comes to the internet. BTW the graph at the top of the page is one of the best that I’ve seen in a while, thanks it made me laugh.
December 20th, 2010 at 11:48 21
C’mon send me to webstock!
December 20th, 2010 at 12:10 56
[...] thinking, techniques, trends and personalities in the global web industry. Attendance at Webstock has been scientifically proven to be beneficial & kick-start many a web career by delivering inspiration, education and [...]
January 10th, 2011 at 02:42 17
This TOTALLY worked for me – my boss is looking forward to an inspired, geekier me post Webstock 2011!